Vintage double Bridle - 1920's - Still useable? Tips please!!

Happy Hunter

Happy Hunter

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I know its 1920's as my Great Aunt used it out Hunting - it has her intials in the headpeice still.

so the useability - thats the thing - Its a little cracked at the buckle end of the reins - So i wouldnt want to use it galloping or anything!
I just thought that Maybe Inhand Classes might be ok (My girl is a saint thank goodness)
What do you think?? Would a look over by the local saddler be too cheeky?

Its so old the reins and side peices are stiched onto the bit rings - I love it = just currently trying to oil it back into life - Any Tips on how to bring it to life (Aside from neatsfoot oil in the bucket load!)

I was just wondering = What else could I use it for?? I dont suppose I'll be able to sell it - even New stuff doesnt sell anywhere right now!!!
 
I would oil it up and keep it as an ornament to be honest. Prob would be ok to use in hand but I wouldn't want to risk breaking it! That's a lovely thing to have past down to you.
 
I think it would depend on how well it has been stored since not being in use - I don't think any saddler would have a problem with you asking them for their opinion on it.

Personally I'd want to oil & soap it up nicely and have it as an unusual ornament at home :)

ps. don't use too much oil on it until you've spoken to a skilled saddler... I'm sure I've heard somewhere that tooo much oil on old leather actually weakens it?
 
I think the leather may be ok, but the stitching is likely to have rotted a bit and oiling may add to that. I too would have a local saddler have a look and see if they could replace any dodgy stitching, sympathetically of course :) I would think a good saddler would enjoy the challenge.
 
Oh how lovely :)

You could get the reins replaced im sure, just plain leather ones? and have them re-stitched on?

We always oil the old tack by putting it into a tub of neatsfoot oil for 3 days and then hanging it up to dry, works a treat but not everyones cup of tea :p
 
Best thing for it after the initial oiling would be Koa-cho-line and rub it well in by stroking the leather and turning it as you run it through your hands (hard to explain but very easy to do!) You can use that without any harm as often as you like, just make sure you rub it well into the leather each time.
Ask your saddler to check it over for you, he should be pleased to be able to handle some quality tack; do you know who made it? Wonderful gift too.
 
You Lucky things - Its raining and I have finally tried using Photo bucket - here goes!!!

It still has the old lip strap and everything! (curb fell off in transit, is in the lounge)

thanks for the tips - will try some of that Keoish thingy magiccy - and probably get new reins - There is life in the old girl yet! :D

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Blimey they are huge! Sorry - Hints on how to reduce size welcome!!! ;)
Also please ignore the yellow fluff - thats a mistake on my part that needs a teatowel or something to go over!!!

The cheek peices are quite cracked :( but i figure if i start replacing the cheek peices and the head peice and the reins as well - then it might be a lost cause...

So restore for a one off use this summer in a small local show and then to My personal museum it goes! :D
 
How lovely, thanks for the pics! I think it must have been well cared for over the years to last so long. It really would be smashing to restore it, well worth getting a saddler to have a quick look...
 
I pointed a friend of mine in the direction of this thread. She is a saddler and is really interested in vintage tack. She asked me to post the following:

"An English saddler who is well-practiced in restoring tack, and who is a traditional working saddler who still hand-makes and hand stitches bridles today, (and who lurks here but cannot post as her overseas internet currently doesn't allow it!) has advised the following:

PLEASE DON'T OIL THIS BRIDLE! You'll kill it! Please GREASE it - Kocholine is good, as is Sedgwicks Grease, or Abbey 1982. The leather needs to be replenished with grease, it will give the bridle leather much-needed nourishment. The stitching on that bridle is SO small, if a saddler today tries to remove the stitching and re-stitch, it will just tear through the leather, as the leather is so old. If someone brought this bridle to us for repair, we wouldn't touch it, the leather wouldn't take it. It's simply old. It's a beautiful bridle, with fantastic workmanship, and something to treasure, but we would not recommend using it. Please grease it, give it some TLC and hang it on the wall as an ornament. It's lovely to see something so old, which has been so well made."

Hope that is useful for you!
 
Thanks so much everyone.
So im off to the saddlers to show it off really - He mentioned he wanted some photos!
Then to Buy some Ka Cho Lin (Spelling!) - and work on it for days.
Then to take some quiet photos of it with my mare in her own field delicatley walking around. - Shes a Cleveland Bay so should look stunning!
Then To keep it forever as a wonderful peice.

Dont forget everyone - Keep it Greased not oiled!! :D

Thanks all for the advice - Hopefully I can keep it alive for another 100 years!
 
I think I would fish round for a specialist, or very sympathetic saddler, and have it restored to its full glory, I'm sure it would be possible, I bet the leather's of a quality we only dream about these days!
If it was restitched with the right contemporary materials, and so on, it would be a great thing to have.
Alternatively as an other poster suggested, polish it up and hang as an antique. Lovely.
 
wow just seen this - Ive got a handmade english leather bridle almost identical to this!!! :) but not as old, and I used it when showing my old horse.

Your bits, what have you used to keep them shiny? as I find that mine have gone a little discoloured
 
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